europabio-logoeuropabio-logoeuropabio-logoeuropabio-logo
  • About us
    • Who we are
      • Governance
      • Staff
      • Vacancies
    • What we do
  • Members
    • EuropaBio Members
    • About Membership
  • How we work
    • Healthcare Biotechnology Council
      • Cell & Gene Therapies
      • Medicines For Rare Diseases And Children
      • Regulatory Efficiency
      • Biosimilars & Public Procurement
      • Data & Digital
      • Patient Bio-Forum
    • Industrial Biotechnology Council
      • Food, Feed & Nutrition
      • Circular Bioeconomy
    • National Associations Council
    • SME Platform
    • Biomanufacturing Platform
  • Activities
    • 25 Years of Innovation
    • EFIB 2022
    • European Biotech Week
  • Events
  • Newsroom
    • News & Publications
    • Newsletter
    • Library
Become a member
✕

EuropaBio comments on the public consultation on blue bioeconomy

10/08/2021
OTHER
EuropaBio comments on the public consultation on blue bioeconomy

August 2021

These comments complement our reply to the public consultation on blue bioeconomy and the development of a strong and sustainable EU algae sector. The algae sector includes both microalgae and macroalgae; our comments concentrate on microalgae use.

Industrial Biotechnology (IB) actively uses enzymes and micro-organisms (including algae) to make bio-based products in sectors such as chemicals, food and feed, detergents, paper and pulp, textiles, and bioenergy. Algae products have tremendous potential to address global challenges in food and feed production and health as well as support a transition to a bio-based economy. Furthermore, production systems for algae often have low environmental impact reducing the use of potable water, arable land, and fossil-based energy.

To explore the full potential of algae products it is important to ensure an enabling governance framework to establish trust and confidence amongst industry, investors, brands, and consumers. Europe needs industry support measures to develop the algae industry and bring new algae species to the market under the Novel Food Regulation (for example by identifying and sharing best practices or identifying species that do not require Novel Food authorization procedure). An additional aspect to consider is how the development of innovative approaches to improve the characteristics of algae (such as for example gene technology and new genomic techniques) can be supported, for instance through ensuring a proportionate regulatory framework as well as generating public trust and support for such developments.

The relatively new application of algae in food and feed will also require consumer awareness and acceptance to help ensure success of algae adoption and initiatives such as the EU Blue Growth Strategy. It is important to promote the availability of sustainable algae-based products such as biomaterials, textiles, cosmetics, biopolymers, biofuels, and fertilizers or biostimulants. Communications efforts around the nutritious, delicious, and sustainable attributes of algae ingredients should be launched. Accelerating consumer adoption is critical both in growing the industry and to help address EU ambitions linked to environment and consumer health.

Please see also:

Reduce the depletion of small fish in our oceans – EuropaBio Inspired By Life case study on algae-derived omega 3
What if we used algae to make biofuel? – EuropaBio factsheet

EuropaBio comments on the public consultation on blue bioeconomy


Download
Share
Alexandra Simionca
Alexandra Simionca

Related posts

28/02/2023

How do we live in a bioeconomy? EuropaBio at the Swedish EU Council Presidency conference


Read more
23/02/2023

EuropaBio Response to Public Consultation on Horizon Europe – interim evaluation


Read more
17/02/2023

Inter-association letter to raise our concern about the proposed definition of “natural polymers” in the REACH restriction of microplastics


Read more
01/02/2023

Joint Statement: The Data Act is a leap into the unknown


Read more

Important links

  • Unlocking the Potential of Biotechnology Innovation for Patients
  • Vision, clarity and enabling – the drivers for Europe’s biomanufacturing future

Categories in our Newsroom

Subscribe for our newsletter

Subscribe to the EuropaBio newsletter to receive the latest news and developments in the Biotech sector!


Subscribe
EuropaBio-Logo-White

EuropaBio represents corporate and associate members across sectors, plus national and regional biotechnology associations which, in turn, represent over 2600 biotech companies, 2300 out of them are SMEs.

Contact us

Extra links

Members
Staff
Privacy policy
Legal & cookies
Events
Newsroom

Become a member

Media pack

© 2023 Europabio. All Rights Reserved. Designed by EYAS
Become a member
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.OkLegal & Cookies